BNP unhappy over SQC verdict

Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday said the party was ‘disappointed, surprised and saddened’ at the Supreme Court Appellate division holding up the International War Crimes Tribunal’s verdict of death sentence against party standing committee member Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury for war crimes.
BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon at a hurriedly called news briefing at the party’s central office read out the statement, as formal reaction of the party, hours after the appellate division’s verdict.
He said from the beginning, BNP’s regarding the trial of those accused in committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971 was clear. ‘We are always in favour of the trial,’ he said.
He said BNP noticed there was political pressure to influence the process of the trial, however, despite that, the party had kept confidence in the rule of law and judiciary.
The spokesman said BNP was surprised over Salahuddin ’s punishment for war crimes saying SQC did not get ‘justice’ and was awarded the death sentence ‘unjustly’.
‘We are aggrieved and shocked over this verdict,’ Ripon said adding that BNP thought SQC was a victim of political vendetta.
The party further thinks there was lack of transparency and various faults in the trial of allegations brought against Salahuddin, he said.
He said he ‘hoped’ the verdict against Salahuddin is not identified as an incident of judicial killing in the history of Bangladesh written in the future.
Asked about whether the party would protest the verdict through any political programme, Ripon said there was still scope to review the verdict and hoped Salahuddin would receive justice.
Asked why BNP defended Salahuddin when two freedom fighters before the international crimes tribunal stated that Major Ziaur Rahman during liberation war formed a team to kill Salahuddin and his father, he claimed the nation had never heard of such information.
In reply to a question over expelling Salahuddin from the party in line with a provision of its constitution, Ripon said ‘the matter is still under trial and the question does not arise as yet.’
He said the party ran following the constitution and said they hoped the higher court would deliver a well-considered verdict, rising above all political influences and pressures.
The spokesman expressed hope that Salahuddin would not be deprived of justice during review of the verdict.
He said from the beginning BNP had been stating that the trial process should be held in an atmosphere free of all political influence and pressure, be transparent and be based on national and international standards, so that any person in any way does not become victim to political vendetta, and justice is ensured to the accused, he said.
He said Salahuddin had always denied his involvement in the allegations of crimes against humanity during 1971 Liberation War brought against him and presented appropriate evidence before the court for consideration that he was not present in the country during the time of the liberation war.
Ripon said Salauddin also made some distinguished citizens as witnesses in favour of his claim but the matter was not taken into cognizance.
He in many countries in the world many executed victims turned out to be falsely sentences later on.
He said BNP was always respectful of the wisdom, prudence and efficiency of the judicial department and expected justice to rise above political pressure.
Leaders of BNP and its front organisations including Ziaur Rahman Khan, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Isthtiaq Aziz Ulfat, MA Malek, Abdul Latif Jony, Shamimur Rahman Shamim, Asadul Karim Shahin, Abdus Salam Azad and Rafiqul Islam Mahtab, among others, were present.